FULL NFCA RELEASE
*FULL LIST OF FINALISTS IS BELOW*
LOUISVILLE, Ky. – Teala Howard has been named one of eight finalists for the 2019 Schutt Sports / NFCA Freshman of the Year. Howard leads the Gulf South Conference in batting (.467), hits (91), and stolen bases (46), and she was named the GSC Freshman of the Year earlier this month.
The rookie from Lake Butler, Florida, has already been named a first-team All-South Region selection by the National Fastpitch Coaches Association and the D2CCA this season. She currently ranks ninth in Division II in batting, fourth in total hits, and sixth in total stolen bases.
Howard's current batting average (.467) would be the best in UWF single-season history, her on-base percentage (.498) would be third, and her stolen base total (46) would be fourth. Howard has multiple hits in 30 of UWF's 60 games this year.
Howard is also riding a 14-game hitting streak that dates back to April 25 against Florida Southern, and she is hitting .489 over that time. Howard leads UWF in batting, runs (11), hits (23), RBIs (6), total bases (26), slugging (.553), on-base percentage (.510), and stolen bases (9) in that time.
The National Freshman of the Year will be announced on the NCAA Championship Banquet on Wednesday, May 22, in Denver.
#ARGOS#
Hannah Rose Corbin, Pitcher, Columbus State
Erin DelPierre, Outfield, Bloomsburg
Khmari Edwards, Second Base, Cameron
Lydia Goble, Third Base, Grand Valley State
Teala Howard, Outfield, West Florida
Bailey McKittrick, Pitcher, Central Oklahoma
Brylyn Vallejos, Outfield, San Francisco State
Emily Whitman, Adelphi
